Wollongong Academy for Tertiary Teaching & Learning Excellence

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Enhancing student learning experience and developing opportunities for staff in teaching and learning at the University of Wollongong.

WATTLE Conversation Starters

Providing a safe, supportive space to explore, discuss and reflect on a range of learning and teaching topics

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The Wollongong Academy for Tertiary Teaching & Learning Excellence (WATTLE) is a leadership community dedicated to providing space for teaching and learning recognition, development, passion and dialogue.

The WATTLE Academy was established in May 2014 and currently has a membership of over 200 Senior Fellows, Fellows and Associate Fellows committed to enhancing the learning experience of all our students. 

Every member of staff, whether they are part of the teaching, research or professional areas of the university, employed as casual, part-time or continuing are welcome to become members of this Academy. WATTLE aims to create a community of practice where a diversity of expertise can be recognised and utilised to further teaching and learning at UOW and beyond.

Our Academy focuses on promoting the following areas:

  1. Building a higher education-focused community of expertise, scholarship and research to lead discussion, collaboration and innovation in University teaching and learning, within and outside of the University of Wollongong.
  2. Building networks of knowledge fostering national and international relationships with respect to teaching and learning.
  3. Increasing UOW’s national and international reputation with respect to teaching and learning.

We welcome you to join our community or contact the committee

WATTLE members are passionate about Teaching and Learning, click on the videos to hear about the benefits of being involved:

UOW Academics recognised with Senior Fellowships (SFHEA) by Advance HE

Eight UOW academic members from WATTLE have been awarded a Senior Fellowship (SFHEA) from Advance HE, based in the United Kingdom. They demonstrated their achievement against the UK Professional Standards Framework for teaching and supporting learning in higher education.

The fellowship recognises their leadership, sustained contribution and thorough understanding of effective approaches to teaching and learning support, resulting in high quality student learning. This achievement recognises the focus UOW has on teaching quality, the value UOW places on staff who support student learning, and the deep commitment of the Academy whose members have helped build WATTLE by being active mentors, champions and leaders. 

The recipients from the Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health are:

  • Mrs Lorraine Fields
  • Associate Professor Tracey Kuit
  • Associate Professor Kylie Mansfield
  • Associate Professor Danielle Skropeta

The recipients from the Business and Law are:

  • Dr Belinda Gibbons
  • Dr Sanja Pupovac
  • Dr Lynnaire Sheridan
  • Associate Professor Ann Rogerson

The recipients are now recognised as Senior Fellows of WATTLE.

Fellows of WATTLE who also hold HEA Fellowships from Advance HE provided mentoring for the successful recipients. These included: Dr Michelle Eady (ASSH), Dr Lisa Thomas (ASSH/LTC), Associate Professor Troy Heffernan (BAL) and Dr Bonnie Dean (SMAH/LTC).

Dr Kathryn Harden-Thew (ex LTC) supported the process in partnership with Professor Abby Cathcart from the Queensland University of Technology Academy of Learning and Teaching (QALT).

Top: Dr Kathryn Harden-Thew (LTC), Dr Sanja Pupovac (BUS), A/Prof. Danielle Skropeta (SMAH), A/Prof. Tracey Kuit (SMAH), Dr Belinda Gibbons (BUS), Dr Bonnie Dean (SMAH/LTC), A/Prof. Ann Rogerson (BUS). Bottom: Mrs Lorraine Fields (SMAH), Dr Lynnaire Sheridan (BUS), Dr Michelle Eady (SOC), A/Prof. Troy Heffernan (BUS), Dr Lisa Thomas (SOC/LTC) and A/Prof. Kylie Mansfield (SMAH).

Top: Dr Kathryn Harden-Thew (LTC), Dr Sanja Pupovac (BAL), A/Prof. Danielle Skropeta (SMAH), A/Prof. Tracey Kuit (SMAH), Dr Belinda Gibbons (BAL), Dr Bonnie Dean (SMAH/LTC), A/Prof. Ann Rogerson (BAL).

Bottom: Mrs Lorraine Fields (SMAH), Dr Lynnaire Sheridan (BAL), Dr Michelle Eady (ASSH), A/Prof. Troy Heffernan (BAL), Dr Lisa Thomas (ASSH/LTC) and A/Prof. Kylie Mansfield (SMAH).

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Members are warmly invited to share ideas and feedback at any time.